Rotary swivel



PBYJM April a; 1941.

W. A. SHAW EVAL ROTARY SWIVEL 2 sheets-sheet 1 :filed Dec. 18, 1939 Amai m4n,`

W. A. SHAW H'M.

ROTARY SWIVEL Filed Dec. 18, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'vvashpipe construction for` a hydraulic Patented Apr. 8,4 1941 norARY SWIVEL wiuiani A. shaw, Los Angeles, and Arthur o. A. Hodge, Hermosa. Beach, Calif., asslznors to The National Supply Company, corporation of Pennsylvania Pittsburgh, Pa., a

Application December 1s, 1939, serial No. 309,710 zo claims.` (el. c55-'25) This invention relates to rotary swivels and more particularly to an improvement in the hydraulic rotary swivel as 4use d in connectionv with rotarywell drilling apparatus.

.dn hydraulic rotary swivel as used in connection with rotary drilling apparatus is required tb rotatably support the weight of the rotating drill string and such swivel must also provide means whereby the drilling iiuid may be introduced into the drill string. In the conventional hydraulic rotary drilling construction there is employed a` renewable element commonly referred to in the art as a washpipef The washpipe is inserted in the fluid conducting system to transmit the drilling iiuid from the l.stationary supply, usually a gooseneck, to the rotating drill string or connector therefor carried by the swivel.

The washplpe in such structure ispacked com- -rnonly with relation to the rotating element of the swivel and also with relation to the stationary gooseneck. f

' The drilling. iiuid utilized is very abrasive in character and is carried under high pressure so that frequent replacements of the packing and the washpipes are necessary. In the conventional construction of swivelZ itis essential for each replacement in the washpipe to dismantle lthe upper portion of the swivel. The gooseneck is removed and before reassembly can be established,

it ls commonly necessary to remove the hose connections in order to enable proper alignment to be attained. The replacement of awashpipe in a conventional type. swivel is thus a dimcult and time-consuming operation.

ln drilling operations such washpipe replaceeut 'ties up the entire drilling equipment and stops all operations. It is therefore the principal object of our invention to provide a' hydraulic rotary swivel in which there is a washpipe so constructed and mountedlas to enable itsf connection and easy replacement without necessitating the dismantling of the swivel, gooseneck or' hose connections thereof. Y

,Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary swivel which includes a packing arrangement wherein the fluid under pressure which acts on the packing housing is balanced in such a manner that no resultant lend thrust is developed on the packing housing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a resilient mounting for a washpipe packing housing which permits the housing of the packing,

aud hence the packing carried thereby, to haveg a self-aligning movementv with respect to the washpipe.. i

Another object of our invention is to provide means for detachably securing the washpipe to one of the fluid conducting members of such hydraulic rotary swivel.

Other objects and advantages loi this invention it is believed will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the' accompanying drawings. l

In the drawings:

Figure l is an elevation partly in vertical section of a hydraulic rotary swivel incorporating the preferred embodiment of our invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmental View partly in vertical.

section illustrating the washpipe and packing in collapsed position preparatory to removal thereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged partial sectional elevation of the washpipe construction and assembly embodying our invention and illustrating the same on an enlarged scale.

Figure 4 is a sectional end view taken 'substantially on the line 4-t oi liigure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional end view taken substantially on the line 5--5 of Figure 3. 1 V

ln the preferred embodiment of our invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the hydraulic rotary swivel includes a body l which rotatably supports a spindle or rotating member l. .as is customary in such constructions, the rotating element t is suitably coupled with the drill strips, not shown.

The spindle t is rotatably supported in the body l upon athrust bearing t. The upper end oi the spindle t projects through a cover 4. The 2 cover l forms a pant of the supporting member t. The supporting member 5 is secured 4to the body l by means oi studs li and cooperates with the body l to forni an enclosure 'l lor the bearing 3. Sea-ling means d and 9 are customarily provided in such structures of lubricant as well as to exclude :foreign matter from within the chamber or enclosure 1. A bail lll is ordinarily provided for suspending the At the upper end ofthe support a gooseneck il is supported and held in position by means of bolts i2.V The ,cooseneck ll provides a tiuld passageway I3, the intake 'end of which is connected to the customary hose (not shown) and l is formed as a downwardly projecting tube l5. The tubular portionv Il is positioned in alignment with .the fluid passage I6 formed through the rotary spindle 2.

'to prevent escape in each rubber bushing Interposed between the rotary spindle 2 and the tubular portion I5 of the gooseneck Il is a .washpipe I1 which has a central fluid passage I6 adapted to connect the fluid passages I3 'and I6.

In accordance with our invention, the washpipe I1 is of a length less than the distance between the upper end of the spindle 2 and the lower end of the tubular portion I5 of the gooseneck II, such distance being indicated by the letter D in Figure 2. It will be obvious that the washpipe I1 may be fixed with respect to either stationary gooseneck II or, as illustrated in the preferred construction, may be fixed to the spindle 2 so as to rotate therewith.

In the preferred` construction as illustrated the washpipe i1 is removably secured to the upper end of the spindle 2 as follows: The upper end of the spindle 2 is threaded as indicated at I9 to receive a flange nut 20. The flange 2| of the flange nut 26 is adapted to engage the annular abutment 22 of the washpipe I1 and to clamp the washpipe I1 against the upper end of the spindle 2. A rubber packing ring 23 is interposed between the end of the washpipe I1 and a shoulder 24 formed within the spindle 2 to provide a leak-proof joint at this point.

Wrhen the washpipe I1 is thus secured in operative .position upon the spindle 2, an annular clearance space 25 exists between the upper end of Ithe rotating washpipe I1 and the lower end of .the stationary tube I5. Encircling this annular clearance space is a packing container or housing 26.

The packing container 26 has a central cylin- I -drical bore 21. The container 26 is formed at its upper end with an annular iiange 28 which denes the upper end ofthe bore 21. A detachable end ange 28 defines the lower end of the bore 21. The end flanges 28 and 29 do not contact, the outer walls of the tube portion I5 or the washpipe I1 but on the contrary, are formed to provide substantial clearance therewith.

Packing means are provided for packing the packing carrier or housing 26 to tion I5 of the gooseneck II and to the rotating washpipe I1. There is thus provided Aa stationary packing, or a packing required between two stationary elements, and the packing required between the stationary carrier 26 and the rotating washpipe I1. It will be obvious, however, that if the washpipe i1 were clamped in position so as to remain stationary, that the positions o these packings would be reversed.V The stationary packing between the carrier 2E and the turbular portion I5 is composed of the packing ring 30. The rotating packing means consists of a plurality of spaced packing rings 3l interposed between packing carrier 26 and the rotating washpipe I1. The packing may be of any sultable or desirable'construction and is herein illus- 'trated as being composed of a series of packing rings 3l held spaced by means of suitable spacing rings 32.

' An annular spacer 33 is interposed between the packing ring 36 and the packing assembly of the rotating packing connection. A grease tting 34 is provided for introducing lubricant under pressure into the packing recess. The packing Vcarrier or housing 26 is provided with a pair of outwardly extending carrier arms 35ior its support. Each of the carrier arms 35 is adapted to receive a rubber bushing 36. Positioned with- 36 is a metallic sleeve 61. Bolts 38 are paed through the metallic sleeves bolts as,

31 and through the supporting means 5. Nuts 39 a're threaded to the Ibolts 3B to support the packing carrier or housing 26. The bolts 38 also pass through the flange of the gooseneck II to aid ln maintaining the same upon the support 5.

The connection as thus provided through the use of the rubber bushings 36 permits self-aligning movement of the packing container or housing 26 relative to the washpipe I1.

' It will be apparent from .the foregoing that as the fluid pressure is admitted into the container 26 at a position between the packing elements 36 and 3|, since the outer diameters of the washpipe I'I and tube l5 are substantiallyv the same, and since the bore 21 of the lcontainer^26 is of uniform size throughout its length, it follows that the end-areas of the packing elements 30 and 3l are equal, and hence the resultant end thrust on the packing container 26 due to fluid pressure is balanced out. It will therefore be apparent -that the carrier arms 35 are not required to receiveend .thrust due to fluid pres' sure but need only support the relatively light weight of the packing assembly and to resist the frctional drag of the packing rings 3|.v

The supporting means 5 above the cover por tion 4 does not completely surround the washpipe Il but leaves openings on both sides. The washpipe I1 and packing assembly may therefore be removed through either of these lateral openings without disconnecting the gooseneck II or the hose connection. When tis desired to eiect this operation, Ithe nuts 39 are removed from the permitting the packing container 26 to be lowered on the washpipe I1 until the lower flange 29 strikes the shoulder 40, The nut 20 is .then unthreaded from the rotary spindle 2. A bar (not shown) may be inserted into the opening 4I if required, in order to unthread the nut 20. Should the washpipe I1 exhibit a tendency to stick to the 'spindle 2, .the lugs 42' are turned until a portion of them extend under the abutment 43 of the washpipe I1.A Further unscrewing of the nut 20 will then cause the lugs 42 to engage the abutment 43 and .to thereby jack .the washpipe I1 away from the spindle 2. The parts are then moved to the position shown in Figure 2 and may be removed laterally through one of the openings in the support 6.

When the washpipe I1 and packing container 26 have been removed from the swivel, the pivoted lugs t2 are turned until they clear the abutment Q3. The washpipe I1 and nut 20 may then be separated.

To install new packing in the container 26, the detachable flange 29 is unthreaded. Bosses 44 and 65 providing bar-receiving openings areprovided for this purpose,

In practice it will be found more convenient and more expeditious to replace the packing container 26 with a new container filled with new packing and assembled ready for use. Thus it may also be found more expeditious to replacev Having fully described our invention, it is to combination of a staa rotary member supported by the passageway, said stationary member being mounted on said support in spaced relationship above saidl rotary member, means to connect said fluid passageways, said means including a conduit element inset-table lat'- passageway axially ot said rotary' a support on said body, a` stationaryv member having a iluid erally into position between said stationary and n rotary members, means to secure said conduit element relative to one .of said members, and means to prevent leakage of iluid between said conduit element andthe other of said members.

, said housing, a iiuld 2. In a rotary swivel, the combination of abody, a spindle rotatably supported by the body,`

a iluid passageway axially of said spindle, a support on said body.

a duid passageway, said stationary member being mounted on said support in spaced relationship above said rotary member, and positioned so that one end of its fluid passageway is in axial alignnient with the fluid passageway in said spindle, means to connect said fluid passageway-s including a conduit element 'insertable laterally into position between said spindle and said stationary member, means to secure said conduit element .to rotate with' said spindle, and packing .means adapted to prevent leakage of fluid between said conduit element and said stationary member.

3. In a rotary swivel, the combination of a stationary body, a spindle member rotatably supported by the body, a fluid passageway axially of a stationary member having iluid passageway in said discharge end thereof the spindle member, a supporton said body havins a lateral Iopening at one side, a stationary member mounted on said support in spaced relationship above said spindle member, a iluid passageway in said stationary member, means to connect said fluid passageways including a concimi; element insertable through said lateral opening in the support into position between said spindle member and said stationary member,

means to secure said conduit element relative to one of said members, and means to'prevent leakose of iluid between said conduit element and tbe other oi said members.

- it, in o. rotary swivel, the combination of a body, s spindle rotatably supported by the b'ody, o. duid passageway axially oi' said spindle, a support on said body having a plurality of legs with openings therebetween, a gooseneck secured upon soin support in spacedrelationship above said spindle, o iluid passageway in said gooseneck imvins one end thereof positioned in axial alignv' ment with the iiuid passageway in said spindle.

vrmmim to connect said iluid passageways, said menus including a washplpe insertable laterally tnroug-h one oi' the openings in ythe support into position between said spindle and said gooseneck, means to secure said washpipe to said spindle,

und packing means adapted to prevent leakage oi iluid between rsald washpipe and said goosenooit..

b.. in arotary swivel, the combination of a stationsry member providing a housing, a rotary element rotatably supported by the stationary member and having' its' pper end projecting irom said housing, sealing means between the 'ing means encircling said washpipe and adapted .to prevent leakage or i'iuid 'between said washwith the mild and the discharge end of per end of said rotary element, a iluid passageway in said stationary element having the discharge end thereof positioned in axial alignment passageway in said rotary element, means including a washpipe adapted Ito connect said duid passageways, the over-all length oi said washpipe being less than the clearance distance between the upper end of said rotary element the iluid passageway in said stationaryelement, means to secure said washpipe to one of said elements, and packing means to prevent leakage ci fluid between said washpipe and the other o! said elements.

6. In a rotary swivel, the combination of a stationary member providing a housing, a spindle rotatably supported by the stationary member and having its upper end projecting i'rom passageway axially oi' said spindle, sealing means between the stationary member and the projecting end of said spindle, a gooseneck secured upon the upper end oi said 4stationary member in vertically spaced relation with respect to the upper end of said spindle, a

positioned in axial alignment with the uid Dassaeway in said spindle. means including a washpipe adapted to connect said iluid passageways, the overall length of said washpipe being less than the clearance distance between the upper end of said spindle1 andthe discharge end of the uidpamageway in said gooseneck, means to secure said was'hpipe to said spindle, and packing means to prevent leakage of uid between said washplpe and saidl sooseneck.

7. In a rotary swivel, the combination of a stationary body, a spindle member rotatably supported by the body, a fluid passageway axially of said spindle member, a support on said body, a goosenecir member mounted on said support in spaced relationship above said spindlel member, a iluid passageway in said gooseneck member, means including a washplpe interposed between said spindle member and said gooseneck member and oi said members, packing means encircling said washpipe and adapted to prevent leakage ol duid lbetween said washpipe and the other oi said members, said 1 packing means being axially slurtable along said washpipe into an inoperative position wherein the over-all' lengtn oi the washpipe and packing means is less than the clearance distance and the gooseneck member.

8.In a. rotary swivel, tno combination oi a a spindle rotatably supported by the body, a iluid passageway axially of said spindle, a support on said body, a gooseneck mounted on said support in spaced relationship above said spindle, a Huid passageway in said means including a washpipe interposed between said spindle and said gooseneck and adapted to connect the said passageways, means I,to secure the washpipe vto Arotate with the spindle, packn pipe and said gooseneck, said packing means bestationary member and the projecting end of said rotary element, a stationary element secured upon the upper end of said stationary member in ing axially shiitable along said 'washpipe into an inoperative position wherein the over-all length oi the washpipe' and packing means is spindle and Ioeneck.

9. In a rotary swivel, thecombination of a vertically spaced relation with respect totheupstationary body. Spindle member rotatably goosenecl: having the adapted. to connect said pas to secure the'wasnpipe to one between the spindle member d uooseneck,

vthan thegclearance distance between the passageway in said gooseneck member, a washpipe operatively interposed between said iluid passageways, the over-all length of said washpipe being less than the clearance distance between the gooseneck member and the spindle member, securing means associated with said washpipe adapted to secure the washpipe to one of said members, packing means associated with said washpipe adapted to' prevent leakage of iluid between the washpipe and the other of said members, said securing means and said means being axially shiitable into an inoperative position on said washpipe, whereby the washpipe, securing means and packing means may be removed laterally through said opening.r as a unit.

10. In a rotary swivel, the combination of a body, a rotary member supported on the body, a conduit ldisposed axially of said rotary member, a stationary part having a passageway adapted to deliver iiuid under pressure into said conduit, the discharge end of said passageway comprising a stationary tube member positioned in valignment with said conduit, a container encircling adjacent lends of the relatively rotatable mempacking bers and cooperating therewith to form an annular packing recess at each end of said container, packing means in each of said recesses. the pressure of the duid being' admitted into the container between said packing means, the endareas of said recesses being substantially equal whereby axial` end thrust on said container due to pressure of the uid is balanced out, and means to prevent rotation of the container relative to one of said members.

l1. In a rotary swivel, the combination of a body, a spindle rotatably supported on the body,

a Washpipe detachably secured to rotate with the spindle, a gooseneck supported by the body. a passageway in said gooseneck adapted to deliver fluid under pressure into said washpipe, the

discharge end of said passageway comprising astationary tube positioned in alignment with said washpipe, a container encircling adjacent endsof said washpipe and tube and cooperating therewith to form an annular packing recess at each end of said container, end flanges on said container adapted to define the outer ends of said annular packing recesses, packing means in each of said recesses, the pressure of the uid being admitted into the container between said packing means, the end-areas of said recesses being substantially equal whereby axial end thrust on said container due to pressure of the fluid is balanced out, and means to prevent rotation o said container.

l2. In a rotaryswivel, the combination of a body, a rotary member supported on the body, a conduit disposed axially of said rotary'member, a stationary part having a passageway adapted to deliver fluid under pressureinto said conduit, the discharge end of said passageway comprising a stationary tube member positioned in alignment with said conduit, a container encircling adjacent ends of the relatively rotatable members and cooperating therewith to form an annular packing recess at each end of said container,V

each of said recesses, the presbeing admitted into the conpackng means in sure of the fluid' tainer between said packing means, means tov fluid under pressure into said washpipe, the discharge end of said passageway comprising a stationary tube positioned in alignment with said washpipe, the stationary tube and the rotary washpipe being substantially the same outer diameter, a packing container having a central cylindrical bore of uniform diameter, upper and lower end flanges'` on said container dening the ends of said bore, primary packing means positioned within said bore adjacent the lower end flange and encircling said washpipe, secondary packing means positioned within said bore adjacent the upper end flange and encircling said stationary tube, the pressure of the said fluid being admitted into the container between said primary and secondary packing means, whereby axial end thrust on said container due to pressure of the fluid is balanced out.

14. In a rotary swivel, the combination of a body, a rotary member supported on the body, a conduit disposed axially of said rotary member, a stationary part having a passageway adapted to deliver uid under pressure into said conduit, the discharge end of said passageway comprising a tubular member positioned in align-v ment with said conduit, a packing container having a central bore, upper and lower end anges on said container dening the ends of said bore, a v

into the container at a location intermediate said f first and second packing means, and torque resisting means associated with said container acting to oppose the frictional drag of one of said packing means incident to the relative rotation of the members.'

l5. In a rotary swivel, the combination of a` body, a spindle rotatably supported on the body, a washpipe detachably secured to rotate with the spindle, a gooseneck-supported by the body, a passageway in said gcoseneck adapted to deliver uid under pressure into said washpipe, the discharge end of said passageway comprising a stationary tube positioned in alignment with said washpipe, a packing container having a central bore, upper and lower. end flanges on said container defining the ends of said bore, primary packing means positioned within said bore adjacent the lower end iiange and encircling said washpipe, secondary packing means positioned 'within said bore adjacent the upper end iiange and encircling said stationary tube, the pressure of the said uid being admitted into the container between said primary and secondary packing means.

16. In a rotary swivel, the combination of a stationary member, a rotary` member supported thereby, a uid passageway in each of said members, thepassageway in said stationary member being adapted to deliver uid under pressure into the passagewayin said rotary member, means adapted to prevent leakage of fluid at the juncmnemoc peeking lwithin scid recess, end recilienl'I inmune l .resisting menne ceeocielbed with esiti non `l ncelne lao oppose 4che :trictionei um; of eine o incident io relative rotation ci' che meme.

im In e. :weary swivel, nue combination ci c mationen! memben e rotary member" eloerebm n nirl o emily in euch nl anni inmemloexe, Jme passageway in leaild stationery ieing olimpico no deliver .uniti meer pressure :inlio eine passageway in eem member.. means adapted @o prevent leakage nf et time `:iuncilon o! esili imescgewmrem nain menno including :e encircling :ci: Ilecet `one ci caio members, menne "whereby houslng may loe maintained relatively stationery with respect co one of echi members, said mecns ibelne @implied ivo permit selffni1enng movement l ol' echi housing relative to mid stationery rend rotary members.

118. In e. rotary swivel, the combination uff n eivaftlcnery meminlerlv e member euppon'ted 'itherebm c. :Huid w sewer in n! nummernlaerc, l `emu in new e Honore :member being edlpted in deliver mnd nnder pressure :inio ehe passageway in mid rotary member, pawns indented im prevent leakage `el iluiri ni: the junction ci `emv/mere, lscid pecking means inclu/ding c, homing ehe rotary 'mem'lnuel-n mem whereby may be relltlvely @Welmers to nld member, slid means resilient torque resisting means zmdepted itu mermil'. eelltellsnlnc mo nt-slid i9. Inn rotary swivel, the combinclnn ni n ,eeniiionew lnonyw o. spindle rotatably mounted ou e e incrire n "waenniue nelicchnbiy secured to rotate with anni enlnnlic, n support on said body, n enoseneelk mounted on seid support. a. passageiwny seid eooeeneck adeuted to deliver iiuld runner nrecsnre iniso seid washpi-pe, packingmenne eranlseli en preneur leakage of lluid at eine junction between com gooseneck and said wncnnim, fowiol pecking means including a. packing icona-ing encircling u portion of seid washpipe, ze jniumiilw ci 4ecu-mie arms on said housing, e. plurality uit cecuring elements carried on' said :supper/ls, recilienl, means adopted to connect enel-1 enrique :erm to nnen/nf seid securing ele-V ments, 'whereby Aeolici housing may have self-aligning :movement releisine to said support.

32B, lin n rotary swivel, the combination of a rsizeiicncry Uboi'y. n spindle member rotatably amounted mencion, :e stationery gooscncck memlber eurmie by :said sectional-y body, a uld paseagewaw :in each of eaidmembere, a. washpipe flnlver'poced between raid :members and adapted to connect scid meescgewevs, pecking meanenncpeed en prevent leakage of uld between the wmshnine ont! `one nl caio members. means whereluy ine may loe rictachalaly secured rela, tine im nemer o eaid members, said means including o. gpm-ir nl axially spaced ebutments on :sain "mmehguine, n mnt threaded upon the latter :scid member and noemen to engage one of said enormemente en maintain the washppe in operaeine non nn eiermenlI on said nut adapted no engine other n1 said abutments, whereby the 'mme may lbe moved imo an inoperative position nnen raid :out being uuthreaded.

um l l. A. nemen o. A.. BUDGE- 

